"We changed our procedure a little bit to flush out the system," said Armadillo team member Russ Blink. Armadillo has had good luck getting the Mod to Point B - it's the return trip that's been difficult. This time around, the team will take more time to clear residual fuel out of the engine system by letting pressurized helium squirt through the main valves.

Blink thinks that's what led to the damaging hard start during the morning run.

Armadillo Aerospace's Mod lander set off a blast of flame during its final launch at the X Prize Cup, and a fire broke out at the launch pad. Fire crews responded, and the flames died down within a couple of minutes. This appears to be the end for Armadillo's effort to win a prize at this year's Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge.

"Armadillo Aerospace's Mod lander set off a blast of flame during its final launch at the X Prize Cup, and a fire broke out at the launch pad. Fire crews responded, and the flames died down within a couple of minutes. This appears to be the end for Armadillo's effort to win a prize at this year's Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge.

I think the problem was apparently a modification they made to their start sequence due to the grit issue with their propellant lines. Still in the event of a hard start weak graphite wouldn't have helped.

Bad luck again armadillo, I look forward to a nice big update with lots of pictures, please don't skimp on the technical details as I find those really interesting.